Jack+S's+letter

Dear Family,

I know that you have not heard about the big steamboat explosion in the Mississippi river. I was one of the 600 survivors, thanks to you teaching me how to swim. I just wanted to inform you that I am fine and only have minor burns on my legs and arms. I will be home shortly.

Yesterday I got back from the war, I got on a steam boat called “The Sultana”. At every stop, the captain kept on boarding passengers. Everyone was starring at the soldiers and I because they all were looking their finest and we just came back from war, so we looked so dirty and muddy. I started to get a little bit nervous that the boat was going to sink because of the weight on the boat. I took a glimpse at the sign and it said “Maximum amount of people 376”. There was clearly way more people than that on the boat. My senses were right because I could smell something burning at two of our stops they crew had to fix the boilers, I got very nervous on both of those stops. When we were nearing our last stop it happened. A loud explosion of fiery coal filled the air, I could feel the fiery chunks of coal pass my cheek. I was hurled of the side of the boat and in to the icy cold water, I could feel my body start to freeze. Quickly I swam to shore. My pal Steven lost his leg but he is fine. It was a scary steamboat ride.

Steven and I will be taking the train back home from the nearest station we both are happy we survived. We both will be back in one week. It was a horrible ride home but it was worth staying alive. My best friends Carlos and Sam were killed in the explosion. I will be going to their funeral in November.

Love, James

Dear James,

It's so great to hear from you. This news has came to us as a huge distress. We have been so worried, and hope you will recover quickly.

We find it very distrustful and disturbing that the captain of Sultana decided to over weigh the ship. The explosion sounds awful. No one back home can imagine being in such a horrible accident, all we keep thinking of is if the soldiers are all right. We have been especially worried because you have not been home in a while, and the war has been over for a long time now. We hope the doctors have been treating your wounds with care, and that they will be done shortly. And your brother, as curious as he is, wanted to know if you got pneumonia, because he is crying his eyes out ever since we got your letter. I have been visiting Carlos's mom and Sam's mom for our weekly book club, and all that went on was mourning, crying, and silence. We are all waiting for you when you get back, and will accompany you to the funerals. You should also be expecting a gift basket from home, as well as some first-class bandages from your Uncle's pharmacy shop! Also, if you need money for the train or to buy things, please let us know.

Love, your family